Best institutions to study Technical and Scientific Communication
A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists.
25 U.S. institutions graduated 168 Technical and Scientific Communication students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 09.0908, a specialization of Public Relations (CIP 09.09), and leads most directly to the Technical Writers occupation (BLS SOC 27-3042).
About Technical and Scientific Communication programs
A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. Includes instruction in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.
See also: 23.1303 - Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Technical and Scientific Communication program, under the Public Relations field, focuses on effectively communicating technical and scientific knowledge to diverse audiences. This program is designed for individuals interested in becoming proficient technical writers, editors, and usability specialists, utilizing various media formats, including print and digital platforms.
Students will gain essential skills in writing, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Coursework includes scientific and technical writing, graphic design, audience analysis, and document usability, preparing graduates to excel in the communication of complex information.
Credentials awarded
What Technical and Scientific Communication graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree66 graduates / yr · 11 institutions39%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate49 graduates / yr · 10 institutions29%
- Master's degree41 graduates / yr · 4 institutions24%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year8 graduates / yr · 3 institutions4.8%
- Associate's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.4%
Graduates over time
Technical and Scientific Communication completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 68 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 67 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 78 |
| 2017 | 69 |
| 2018 | 89 |
| 2019 | 138 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 208 |
| 2022 | 191 |
| 2023 | 161 |
| 2024 | 179 |
| 2025 | 168 |
Top 25 institutions for Technical and Scientific Communication, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 29 | 61% | — | — |
| 2 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster's | 23 | 0% | — | — |
| 3 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 14 | 67% | — | — |
| 4 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 12 | 59% | — | $32,741 |
| 5 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 12 | 52% | — | $41,460 |
| 6 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 76% | — | — |
| 7 | Mercer University Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 6 | 70% | $22,641 | — |
| 8 | Ball State University Muncie, INPublicBachelor's | 6 | 62% | — | $38,020 |
| 9 | Iowa State University Ames, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 75% | — | $42,530 |
| 10 | Metropolitan State University Saint Paul, MNPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 44% | — | — |
| 11 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 64% | — | — |
| 12 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 54% | — | — |
| 13 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MIPublicBachelor's | 5 | 68% | — | — |
| 14 | John A Logan College Carterville, ILPublicAssociate's | 4 | 46% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 90% | — | — |
| 16 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 61% | — | $36,920 |
| 17 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 90% | $32,926 | — |
| 18 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 88% | — | — |
| 19 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 70% | — | — |
| 20 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicMaster's | 3 | 84% | — | — |
| 21 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 2 | 32% | — | $32,601 |
| 22 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NYPublicBachelor's | 2 | 42% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 64% | — | — |
| 24 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 25 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 1 | 83% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Public Relations field (CIP 09.09) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 18 states
Where Technical and Scientific Communication graduates come from. Each state links to all Public Relations programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2 | 32 | University of North Texas29 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 26 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion23 / yr |
| Georgia | 2 | 18 | Kennesaw State University12 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 16 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins14 / yr |
| Indiana | 3 | 12 | Ball State University6 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 12 | Utah State University12 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 10 | Stony Brook University8 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 6 | Iowa State University6 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 6 | Metropolitan State University6 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 6 | Missouri University of Science and Technology6 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 5 | Michigan Technological University5 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 4 | John A Logan College4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | University of Wisconsin - Madison4 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 3 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute3 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | Ohio State University - Main Campus3 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 3 | Oregon State University3 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 1 | University of Alabama at Birmingham1 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 1 | George Mason University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-3042, Technical Writers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as technical writers, editors, or communications teachers. The job outlook shows little or no change, with approximately 4,500 annual openings and a median wage of $91,670 for technical writers, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 09.0908
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Technical Writersprimary SOC 27-3042 | $90,390 | +0.9% Little or no change | ~4,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Editors SOC 27-3041 | $77,920 | +0.6% Little or no change | ~9,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Technical and Scientific Communication programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
- Develop or maintain online help documentation.
Tools and technology used
Other Public Relations specializations
The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Public Relations (CIP 09.09).
- AdvertisingCIP 09.09034,542 graduates / yr90 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09004,140 graduates / yr164 institutions
- Public Relations/CIP 09.0902
Image Management 4,001 graduates / yr144 institutions - Communication Management and Strategic CommunicationsCIP 09.09092,014 graduates / yr64 institutions
- Organizational CommunicationCIP 09.09011,805 graduates / yr79 institutions
- Sports CommunicationCIP 09.09061,470 graduates / yr88 institutions
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationCIP 09.09991,142 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Health CommunicationCIP 09.0905361 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Political CommunicationCIP 09.0904partial data190 graduates / yr9 institutions
- International and Intercultural CommunicationCIP 09.0907157 graduates / yr17 institutions
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Bachelor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Master's degree, and shorter awards.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active listening, and communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a technical writer, editor, or communications teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for technical writers?+
The job outlook is stable with about 4,500 annual openings and a median wage of $91,670.
What is the CIP code for Technical and Scientific Communication?+
Technical and Scientific Communication is CIP 09.0908 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Public Relations (CIP 09.09). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the communication of technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media; and that prepares individuals to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. Includes instruction in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.
How many institutions offer Technical and Scientific Communication programs?+
25 U.S. institutions reported Technical and Scientific Communication graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states, awarding 168 credentials in the year. That is 0.8% of all Public Relations graduates.
How much do Technical and Scientific Communication graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Technical Writers occupation, which Technical and Scientific Communication most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,390 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Public Relations field report median earnings of $38,020 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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